Loss and Grief within a Contemporary Pastoral Setting (DP2004Y)

Content

This unit of study will begin by exploring the general nature of loss and grief by examining the most common loss and grief events in human experience, critically examining the various theoretical approaches. This unit will also explore some of the more obscure loss and grief situations: such as family breakdown, unemployment, relocation and migration, war and seeking asylum, abuse and discrimination, chronic illness, and suicide. Finally, it will explore a number of pastoral strategies which may be useful in assisting a person experiencing loss and grief. This will include an exploration of ethical boundaries and collaborative pastoral approaches.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

DP1001Y Foundations for Pastoral Practice

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, tutorials,

Indicative Bibliography

• Kelley, Melissa M. Grief: Contemporary Theory and the Practice of Ministry. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2010. (recommended for purchase)
• Boss, Pauline. Loss, Trauma, and Resilience: Therapeutic Work with Ambiguous Loss. 1st ed. New York: W. W. Norton, 2006.
• Brownell, Philip. Spiritual Competency in Psychotherapy. New York: Springer Publishing Company, 2014.
• Earle, Sarah, Carol Komaromy and Caroline Bartholomew. Death and Dying: A Reader. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2008.
• Hooyman, Nancy R. and Betty J. Kramer.* Living through Loss: Interventions across the Life Span*. New York: Columbia University Press, 2006.
• Humphrey, Geradline and David G. Zimpfer. *Counselling for Grief and Bereavemen*t. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2007.
• Komaromy, Carol. Making Sense of Death, Dying and Bereavement: An Anthology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2008.
• Machin, Linda. Working with Loss and Grief: A Theoretical and Practical Approach. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2013.
• Mallon, Brenda. Dying, Death and Grief: Working with Adult Bereavement. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2008.
• Musgrave, B., and McGettigan, Spiritual and psychological aspects of illness: Dealing with sickness, loss, dying and death. New York, Mahwah: Paulist Press, 2010
• Nolan, S. Spiritual care at end of life: The Chaplain as hopeful presence. London & Philadelphia: .Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2010
• Read, Sue. Supporting People with Intellectual Disabilities Experiencing Loss and Bereavement: Theory and Compassionate Practice: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2014.

Assessment